On Friday, December 20, 2013, more than 350 College of Technology students earned undergraduate and graduate degrees. A reception in their honor was held on Thursday, December 19, in the Rockwell Pavilion of the MD Anderson Library where Dean William E. Fitzgibbon, technology faculty, and staff celebrated with the students along with their families and friends.
Designed to honor excellence in academic achievement in the College of Technology, the Dean’s Medal of Academic Excellence is awarded to the highest ranking students, graduating with a grade point average of 3.75 or above with the final 66 hours in residence at the University of Houston. A one thousand dollar award accompanies the medal. Dean Fitzgibbon presented the medal to Carla Cook, and Penny Garza who earned their B.S. in Organizational Leadership and Supervision. Both were also the College’s Honorary Banner Bearers.
The Outstanding Student Award has been established to provide an opportunity to describe the attributes of a technology innovator graduating from our College. Considerations include notable academic achievement, a history of research activity (such as a special problems course or a grant-funded research project) and an awareness of social and cultural concerns made evident by involvement in organized community service programs or activities.
Ayesha Afaf Shah was awarded $1,000 for her achievements. Ms. Shah is also Banner Bearer for the Department of Human Development and Consumer Sciences and earned her B.S. degree in Retailing and Consumer Science. She designed and implemented an online inbound marketing campaign and project for Gilani Furniture for HDCS Internship in Retailing and Consumer Science course. Shah studied the usage of search engine optimization and social media to increase online visibility, increase sales and improve effectiveness. Her work was approved for Honors credit from the University of Houston Honors College. She has an impressive range of internal and external service activities, scholarship, and research that demonstrate her qualifications and accomplishments. In addition to earning high marks, she is highly regarded by faculty as an exceptionally energetic student who has demonstrated dedication, responsibility, and paramount efforts to perform with the highest standards.
Adrienne Low was named Outstanding Undergraduate Student in the Department of Engineering Technology, receiving a $500 award. Adrienne impressed the department with her work on several projects which includes Project Neuron – Autonomous Car that was 1st place winner in the embedded systems course, and an Unmanned Autonomous Vehicle that was 1st place winner in the senior design course. With Adrienne’s leadership and passion, $35,000 in funding has been secured from CenterPoint Energy to support the completion of the project.
Banner Bearers are the highest achieving students in the College of Technology. These students were privileged to lead graduating students into UH Commencement ceremonies:
- Carla Cook, B.S., Supply Chain and Logistics Technology (College of Technology)
- Penny Garza, B.S. Supply Chain and Logistics Technology (College of Technology)
- Manuel Lugo, B.S. Construction Management (Construction Management)
- Erin Mitchell, M.S., Supply Chain and Logistics Technology (Graduate Studies)
- Robyn Pass, B.S., Supply Chain and Logistics Technology (Information and Logistics Technology)
- Ayesha Afaf Shah, B.S., Retailing and Consumer Sciences (Human Development and Consumer Sciences)
- Evette Skinner, B.S. Biotechnology (Engineering Technology)
The entire College community is extremely proud of the accomplishments of its graduates and sincerely wishes the great success in their future endeavors.
Photos of the graduation reception are available on the College Facebook page: www.facebook.com/uhcot